Qatar Attracts QR 172.2 Billion in FDI During Q1 2026

The story in brief

Qatar experienced significant growth in foreign direct investment (FDI) during the first quarter of 2026, reaching QR 172.2 billion. This 3.3% increase from Q4 2025 highlights the nation's robust investment trajectory. Inward FDI was primarily driven by mining and quarrying (45.3%), financial and insurance activities (31.9%), and manufacturing (13%). Outward FDI also rose by 3.5% to QR 221.7 billion. The National Planning Council emphasized focusing on quality investments in non-hydrocarbon sectors to support economic diversification and achieve targets set by the Third National Development Strategy and Qatar National Vision 2030.

Detailed summary

Doha, Qatar: The National Planning Council, in cooperation with the Qatar Central Bank, released the results of the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) Survey for the first quarter of 2026. The findings indicate continued growth in both inward and outward FDI between January and March 2026.

Inward FDI saw a 3.3% increase by the end of Q1 2026 compared to Q4 2025, reaching a total of QR 172.2 billion. H.E. Dr. Abdulaziz bin Nasser bin Mubarak Al Khalifa, Secretary-General of the National Planning Council, commented on this rise, stating it is a positive indicator of Qatar's investment trajectory. He emphasized the Council's focus not just on the volume of investment, but also on its quality and impact on economic diversification, productivity gains, knowledge and technology transfer, and the growth of high-value-added sectors. The priority for the coming period is to further enhance the Qatari economy's attractiveness to quality investments and accelerate growth in non-hydrocarbon sectors, aligning with the Third National Development Strategy and Qatar National Vision 2030.

More than 90% of inward FDI was concentrated in five main economic activities: mining and quarrying led with 45.3%, followed by financial and insurance activities at 31.9%, manufacturing at 13%, information and communication activities at 2.8%, and professional, scientific, and technical activities at 2%. This distribution underscores the importance of broadening the FDI base in non-hydrocarbon sectors to support economic diversification.

Regarding Qatari investments abroad, outward FDI increased by 3.5% by the end of Q1 2026, compared to Q4 2025, reaching QR 221.7 billion. This growth signifies the expanding presence of Qatari investments in international markets and the development of economic and investment partnerships aimed at asset diversification and enhanced long-term returns. The top five economic activities for outward FDI, accounting for over 90%, were financial and insurance activities (33.5%), mining and quarrying (29.8%), information and communication activities (10.8%), accommodation and food service activities (9.1%), and transport and storage activities (7%).

These survey results contribute to the National Planning Council's efforts to enhance the quality of national economic statistics, providing accurate data for decision-making and tracking progress towards national development goals. The survey provides preliminary estimates for inward and outward FDI, including data from privately owned companies and some government-owned entities, but excludes international financial transactions by the state or individuals. The data for Q1 2026 was based on a sample of approximately 210 establishments in Qatar and is combined with Qatar Central Bank data on monetary financial institutions.

Background & context

This story sits within Qatar's broader reform agenda and efforts to grow Mining & Metals as a pillar of non-oil GDP. The region benefits from supportive energy prices, expansionary government budgets, and rising interest from sovereign wealth funds and foreign investors.

Key numbers & facts

Qatar experienced significant growth in foreign direct investment (FDI) during the first quarter of 2026, reaching QR 172.2 billion.
This 3.3% increase from Q4 2025 highlights the nation's robust investment trajectory.
Inward FDI was primarily driven by mining and quarrying (45.3%), financial and insurance activities (31.9%), and manufacturing (13%).
Outward FDI also rose by 3.5% to QR 221.7 billion.
Inward FDI saw a 3.3% increase by the end of Q1 2026 compared to Q4 2025, reaching a total of QR 172.2 billion.

Key points

Qatar experienced significant growth in foreign direct investment (FDI) during the first quarter of 2026, reaching QR 172.2 billion.
This 3.3% increase from Q4 2025 highlights the nation's robust investment trajectory.
Inward FDI was primarily driven by mining and quarrying (45.3%), financial and insurance activities (31.9%), and manufacturing (13%).
Outward FDI also rose by 3.5% to QR 221.7 billion.

Why this matters

This matters because activity in Mining & Metals shapes capital flows, hiring and investor sentiment across Qatar.

Economic & market impact

Potential impact: - Mining and metals producers may see demand-side impact.

Potentially related sectors

Mining & Metals

GCC angle

For the rest of the GCC, this is a signal on the pace of activity in Mining & Metals. Capital flows and regulatory decisions in one Gulf state typically travel across borders given the similar economic structures and the coordination inside the GCC framework.

Risks & uncertainty

There is uncertainty around the read-through: projections can be moved by swings in oil prices, by US monetary policy tightening that most GCC central banks track via dollar pegs, and by regional geopolitical events. Headline numbers may also be revised when subsequent official data is published.

What happens next?

Watch for upcoming disclosures from listed names in Mining & Metals, official macro releases for Qatar, and any commentary from regulators or sovereign wealth funds. Tharwa will refresh this briefing as new public information becomes available.

Sources used

The Peninsula Qatar — Business